09 Oct
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa
Vacancies - Members Knowledgeable in Law for the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board
Contact: Amy Geertsma, Manager, Research Ethics
Program: OHSN-REB
About the Research Ethics Board
The Boards of The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) delegate the review and ethics oversight of all human research at TOH and UOHI to the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board (OHSN-REB).
About the Opportunity
The OHSN-REB is seeking volunteer members who are knowledgeable in the law to join the Board for an initial term of three (3) years. OHSN-REB provides the necessary training for its prospective members remotely.
The focus of review is dedicated to privacy related issues and consent
What is an REB? According to the most relevant guideline, the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS), an REB is:
“A body of researchers, community members, and others with specific expertise (e.g., in ethics, in relevant research disciplines) established by an institution to review the ethical acceptability of all research involving humans conduced within the institution’s jurisdiction or under its auspices.”
As per TCPS2, community members cannot be affiliated with the institution. Applicants from all backgrounds, professions, and areas of expertise are welcomed, although the applicant must be interested in learning about research involving human participants and should actively participate in discussion. The applicant should take a participant and community perspective in evaluating each research proposal and privacy risks to participants.
The applicant will be required to review REB applications, participant facing documents (e.g., consent, survey)
and some protocols. Board members should ordinarily reside in Ottawa. The OHSN-REB is committed to fostering and supporting an inclusive culture and encourages individuals from diverse communities to apply.
In all its deliberations, the REB must conform with the current version of the Tri-Council Policy Statement, established by Canada’s three federal funding agencies ( As well, it is subject to the relevant (provincial) privacy legislation, the Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA).
Studies under review may also require consideration of the following:
•Health Canada regulation (regulated drugs, biologicals, devices)
•U.S. Food and Drug Agency regulation (drugs, biologicals, devices applying for registration in the U.S.)
•U.S. “Common Rule” (studies funded by certain American agencies).
There are 34 Full Board meetings scheduled per year among the General Campus, Civic Campus, and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Regular members are asked to attend 6 or more meetings per year. Typically, meetings require approximately half day of preparation; the meetings themselves typically run approximately 4 hours and are held remotely with the intention of moving to a hybrid model.
If you are interested in participating as a law member, please contact the OHSN-REB manager, Amy Geertsma at , with the subject line:
“Research Ethics Board Law Member Position”.
We thank all applicants for their interest.
▶️ Members Knowledgeable in Law for the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board
🖊️ Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
📍 Ottawa